Toy construction block system with interblock connectors for extended support structures

Abstract

The present invention is a toy construction block system which includes a plurality of toy construction blocks and a plurality of interblock connectors. Said blocks each have a main outer structure having a top, four sidewalls and an open bottom. The top has a plurality of symmetrically arranged elongated projections for interlocking with other, similar blocks and the open bottom has an underside to said top which itself has an elongated friction post extending therefrom. The friction post is hollow and is centrally and symmetrically located on the underside. The critical features are that the top has thereon a top recess in alignment with the friction post, a bottom recess within the friction post of the block, and at least one of the four sidewalls has a side recess therein adapted to receive an interblock connector. In preferred embodiments of said interblock connector, each connector has at least an elongated body and first and second ends. At least one of said first and second ends has means for attachment to at least one of said construction blocks. In other embodiments, one of said first and second ends has means for connecting with another interblock connector to enable the user to further extend the structure as desired.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A toy construction block system, comprising: (a) at least one block having a top, four sidewalls and an open bottom, said top having a plurality of symmetrically arranged, elongated projections for interlocking with other, similar blocks; said open bottom exposing an underside to said top; the underside of said top having an elongated friction post extending therefrom, said friction post being hollow and being centrally and symmetrically located on said underside; said top having thereon a top recess in alignment with said friction post; said friction post having a bottom recess therein, and at least one of said four sidewalls having a side recess therein, said top recess, said bottom recess and said side recess adapted to receive an interblock connector;   (b) a plurality of interblock connectors, each of said interblock connectors having an elongated body and first and second ends, wherein at least one of said first and second ends has means for interconnecting to one of said recesses of said block, and the other of said first and second ends has means for connecting to attachment means for joining such interblock connectors; and   (c) at least one attachment means for joining one of said interblock connectors to another of said interblock connectors.   
     
     
       2. The attachment means of claim 1 comprising a connector defined by an inner surface, an outer surface and at least one side surface defining a cavity therein, said outer surface having a circular grip circumscribing the perimeter of said connector's midsection, said inner surface defining circular stop means within, said inner surface being smooth and adapted to frictionally engage said outer wall of a corresponding projection.